A Tim Nicholls-led Liberal National Government will provide greater funding certainty to our hard-working emergency volunteers.

THE PROBLEM

Our hard-working volunteer organisations receive partial government assistance but rely significantly on community support and generosity to provide the services Queenslanders rely upon in an emergency event, like a natural disaster.

Organisations such as the State Emergency Service (SES), Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR), Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ), Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ), Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and St John Ambulance Queensland rely on donations and local fundraising to purchase new equipment and enhance local facilities. Thousands of emergency service volunteers give up time with family and friends to help Queenslanders.

Queensland experiences extreme weather events and it is important we provide our volunteer organisations with the equipment and facilities when they need to deliver emergency services.

OUR RECORD

In government, the LNP appointed a dedicated Assistant Minister for Emergency Volunteers in recognition of their important and unique role in Queensland.

We also reformed the way in which rural fire services were provided through the Malone report, appointed a dedicated Assistant Commissioner and fully funded rural fire brigade equipment, communications and training.

These investments benefit residents through quicker responses to emergency events and helping people in their time of need.

OUR REAL PLAN

A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will establish a dedicated $10 million Emergency Volunteers Fund, where organisations can apply for and receive assistance to improve local community resilience and maintain or increase capacity.

The fund will be rolled out over three years and consists of two key elements:

Equipment Upgrade and Replacement ($6.8 million over three years)

200 x $25,000 grants under the Major Equipment fund over 5 funding rounds, and

12 x $100,000 grants under the Major Improvements Fund over 3 funding rounds

Funding will need to be applied for, either by local brigades or squadrons or on behalf of state organisations. Each grant is paid for and acquitted through Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and will be for a specified amount that is verifiable.

Only the LNP has a plan to provide safe and liveable communities and ensure our hard-working emergency volunteers have the funds they need to keep Queenslanders safe.